Apparatus for completing and packaging a frozen confection



u 7 6, 2 G. N I m Rm sm N Rmm EAT BG@v AMF RTW P m m F A F. APPARATUS @ORI-gall! 11 She ets-Sheet l March 2, 1954 Flled Nov 6, 1951 QQ* .NN

lINVENTR lwranfylwez; J2:

ATTORNEYS F. A. LANDGRABER, SR 2,670,887 APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING AND PACKAGING A FROZEN CONFECTION March 2, 1954 1,1 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 6, 1951 ATTORNEYS March 2, 1954 Y F. A. LANDGRABER, R

APPARATUS POR OOMPLETING ANO PACKAGING A FROZEN CONNECTION Filed Nov. 6, 1951 11 Sheets-Sheet A f# 6' INVENT OR M'la/@wwg BY 22g .ijf

ATTORNEYS March 2, 1954 F. A. LANDGRABr-:R, SR 2,670,887 APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING AND PACKAGING A FROZEN CONFECTION Filed Nov. 6, 1951 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 7/ INVENTOR ATTORNEYS l1 Sheets-Shee'tI 5 ATTORNEYS GRABER, SR LETING AND PACKAGING LAND R COMP A FROZEN CONFECTION March 2, 1954 APPARATUS Fo Filed NOV. 6, 1951 March 2, 1954 F. A. LANDGRABER, sR 2,670,887 APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING AND PACKAGING A FROZEN CONFECTION Filed NOV. 6, 1951 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEYS March 2, 1954 F. A. LANDGRABER, SR 2,670,887 APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING AND PACKAGING A FROZEN CONFECTION Filed Nov. 6, 1951 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 r` R a INVENTO ATTORNEYS' March 2, 1954 F. A. LANDGRABER, SR 2,670,887 APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING AND PACKAGING A FROZEN CONF'ECTION Filed Nov. 6, 1951 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 f r\ lll/111115111,

INVENTOR wl. [wzmg:

BY M Mfm ATTORNEYS Wy@ MKM March 2, 1954 A.' LANDGRABER, sn 2,670,887

APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING ANI."PACKAGINGA A FROZEN CONEECIION Filed Nov. 6, 1951 1-1 sheets-snaai s ATTORNEYS' vRl'au'ch 2, 1954 Filed NOV. 6, 1951 A LAN DG RABER, SR

F.. APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING AND A. FROZEN CONF'ECTION PAQKAGING l1 Sheets-Sheet- 10 ATTORNEYS F. A. LANDGRABE'R, S

March 2, 1954 R 2,670,887

APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING AND PACKAGING A FROZEN CoNFECTIoN yl1 She'ES-Sheet 1l Filed NOV. 6, 1951 xm "w 1N VENT OR jim/Cll/zwa:

ATTORNEYS yout .the vseveral rgures zof/avhicl'l; ence charactersidenoteidentical pa Patented Mar. 2, 1.954

.APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING AND l`PACK- AGING Af FROZEN CONFECTION -l-Fred A.- -Landgraben Sr., signor. `ta Drumstick,

corporation of Texas -Port --Newark, N. -J., `as- Inc., Eort Worth,A Tex., a

:.-Applica'tioir November 6, 1951, Serial No. 255,115

'7 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus; for making a finished ice cream confection andpackaging it, starting with a lled hard frozenice-.cream cone in which the ice cream extendsbeyond the rim of the cone, usually in a convexgrnound of uniformly smooth contour. The finished confection comprises this cone :with thei;projectingpart of the ller enrobed withA chocolate or.other edible coating, Ywhich is preferably studdedrwithcomminuted nut meats'or other edible; granules. The

term ice cream is used;asan example -cf a number of equivalentY frozen'- llers.

v Onelof the objectsofftheinvention isto provide -apparatus for making; a frozen Vconfection such as `ispabove described, which-isuntouched by human hands throughqut therextentofitsmanufacture. and;y packaging.

-Anothers obj ect of ,tile-invention is tog provide apparatus in which all parts gwith which the `product or its ingredients t come-into; contact are tion, being inactive -when v`there is fnogbasketgpres- .Tent at said enrobing stationifwheoebypvthe action ofthe vibratory plate isdiscontinuous;rminimizing the tendency ofthemuts- :to o il offfuwhich `they do excessivelyunder continuous impactfresulting in oily surfaces of the nut fragments with resultant adhesiveness of the'lnuts to,theenrobed surface of the cones.

. A further object .of the invention isthe provision of a packaging machine in which, two of the finished frozen confections are simultaneously released to a single packaging hopper, one being automatically detained for ran `instant in said hopper so as `toassume linear-sequence-withrespect to the otherf-enabling' them-to :be-'alitomatically bagged: consecutively'.

J Other objects Vvofzthe rinventionxiwill appean as the following descriptionf'ofcapreferred and-zpractical embodiment thereofgprocecls Y In the drawings -whichaaccompanya-and z-form 'a part of the followingspeciiicatiorl nel through- V complementa-ry ..Sderfelerations of apparatus.x embcdyigatheprinciples, of

Figures la and; icare the invention: o

, simultaneously to each of the side of the basket, .drawing opposite stroke of the; rack Figure 2-is;an end-elevation viewed from the left in Figure la;

Figure isa vertical section taken along the through the vibratory nut'meat` applicator;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken alongthe line 5--5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is-a Vertical line 6 6 of FiguregZ;

Figure 7 is a vertical section takenalong the line 1-1 of Figure/*3;

Figure 8 is a section taken along the line 8--8 of Figure 4;

Figure9 is a section taken along the lineS-B of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a vertical line Ill-l0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a section Il-II of Figure 5;

Figure 12 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line I2-I2 of Figure 1b;

Figure 13 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line I3l3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a perspective View of the means Afor releasing the conesa rowat artime, and two packaging hoppers, and detaining one of the two momentarily the hopper to obtain sequential discharge-of v the cones from the hopper;

Figure 15 is a section Ataken along the vline |5-I5 of Figure 5;

Figure 16 is a section lli-I6 AofFigure 1,3.

Before proceeding to a detailed description of the apparatus it may facilitate the understanding of the ydescription to state-at this pointthat the lled cones come to the apparatus in a-known type of basket in which the cones are held head down; that the baskets slide on tracks which extend through the machine; and that the movement of thebaskets is step bystep, first tov an enrcbing station at which .the chocolate coating is applied, then tothe nut applying station, and then to the vpackaging station; that the step by step movement of the baskets tothe enrobing'station and nut applying station is-eected by an overlying rack bar having depending -univdirectionally `swinging pawis at proper lintervals, which ride over a basket injthe outward .movement of the rack bar and engage the Y"far it inwar-dfupon V,the bar, the. amplitude bar `being such that section taken along Athe section taken along the taken along the line taken along the line rof` .reciprocation of this rac-k @it stops ythe baskets gin; precise .positions-at, lthe across? enrobing and nut applying stations. In packaging, one row of the iinished confections at a time is removed from the basket, so that an amplitude of movement of the basket equal to the distance between rows is required. Consequently, a separate conveyor bar is employed at the packaging station, which is at the same level as the rack bar that serves the enrobing and nut applying stations and of similar construction with a closer spacing of pawls, excepting that it is not a rack bar but driven by a pitman, the two conveyor bars having their adjacent ends so juxtaposed that the rst mentioned conveyor bar carries the basket to a position where its near end is engaged by the rst paw1 on the second mentioned conveyor bar.

With this general outline of the arrangement of the apparatus, the detailed description is as follows:

The apparatus comprises a portable frame, which as a whole is designated by the numeral 20, and which in the form shown is made in two sections 2l and 22, Figures la and 1b, which could be integrally related as a matter of choice, and are in |fact unitary when the track 23 is in place, since the latter extends rigidly through both sections of the frame. As the track can be disassembled through the instrumentality of the wing nuts 24 and taken out for cleaning, this being the only operative element that extends through both sections, makes it convenient to be able to push the section 22 aside to get full access to both sections, which is the chief reason for making the frame in separate sections.

The frame section 2i can be comprehended from Figure 1a and Figure 2. It consists of corner posts 25, having levelers 26 at the foot, upper and lower longitudinals 21 and 28, and upper and lower end cross pieces 23 and 33. The lower longitudinals are bridged by two pairs of spaced intermediate cross pieces 3l and 32, the pieces 3| supporting the motor 33 that operates the enrobing mechanism and the rack bar which brings the baskets to the enrobing and nut applying stations. The pair of cross pieces 32 support the motor 34, which operates the nut meat applying mechanism. At the outer end of the frame arises the inverted U-shaped member 35, having the cross rail 35 that carries the spaced uprights 31 with holes at their upper ends, receiving the threaded studs which project from the angular tracks 23, secured to said uprights by wing nuts 24 screwing upon said studs (see Figure 2).

At the middle oi and at the inner end of the frame section 2| rise the similar inverted U-shaped members 33, 33, and supported from the cross rails 40 and 4l of these members are the inverted U-shaped extensions 42 and 43, the sides of which are spaced narrowly enough to support the parallel tracks 23 with the aid of tubular spacers 44 (see Figure through which spacers the threaded studs on the back of the track extend. Other wing nuts 24 screw on these studs and secure the track to the sides of these extensions. All of the frame members are preferably made of tubular stock and preferably of stainless steel or other bright and polished metal which can be kept in immaculate sanitary condition.

The top rails 45 of the extensions 42 and 43 are at the same height and carry the hangers 45 which support and guide the reciprocating rack bar 41. Figure 8 shows a fragment of one of the top rails 45 and a section through one of the the upper longitudinals 21 hangers. This member comprises an inverted channel shaped fitting 48 secured to the under side of the top rail, and having vertical adjusting slots 43 in its opposite sides. Bolts 50 extend through these slots, having rollers 5l at their inner ends and nuts 52 at their outer ends for securing the bolts in adjusted positions. The upper and lower pair of rollers are spaced. The rack bar 41 in the form shown is composite, comprising a lower part 53 of T-shape cross-section, with the top of the T resting upon the rollers of the lower pair and guided in the space between the upper and lower rollers. The stem of the T depends, forming the stifening iin 56 of the rack bar. The upper part of the rack bar is a strip 54, having the rack teeth and secured to the lower part 53, as by the screws shown. Pawls 51 are dependingly mounted on the iin 56 by the pivot pins 58. Figure 1a shows that the pawls 51 can swing freely to the right, but cannot swing leftward beyond the positions shown in Figure la, since they are stopped by contact of their upper left corners with the under side of the top of the T-shaped portion 53 of the rack bar.

Now adverting to the frame section 22, this can be best contemplated from Figure lb and Figures 12 and 13. It has a general prismatic outline, consisting of the four corner posts 58, joined by transverse top rails 59, each supporting a hanger 46, through which hangers a conveyor bar 60 is slidably guided. The conveyor bar 60 is similar in construction to the rack bar 41, in that it is of T-shaped cross-section, the top of the T being guided between the rollers of the hanger, and the stem of the T being a reinforcing iin and carrying the unidirectionally swinging pawls 64.

Before describing the function of the conveyor lbar 60 one may take a look at the basket 6I, Figures la and 12, which show that the top wires S2 and 63 of the front and rear ends of the basket are of equal height, and that there are no transverse wires of the same height between the front and the rear of the basket, and that the cones are arranged in successive transverse parallel rows, six cones to a row.

Since the purpose of the conveyor bar 50 is to advance the basket, step by step, toward the right as viewed in Figure la., a row of cones at a time to a definite position at the packing station, the pawls 64 are spaced apart the distance between rows. There are seven of the pawls 64. These operate in the same manner as the pawls 51. However, beginning with the one on the left, Figure 1b, they successively catch on the front end of the basket upon successive retrograde strokes of the conveyor bar 63, pulling the basket forward on the advance strokes, a row at a time toward the point at the packing station where the cones are released. When the entire series of seven pawls has acted, the rst row of cones is still the distance of one row behind the release point, but by that time, the leftmost pawl is in position to catch behind the rear of the basket. Now, one at a time, the series of pawls successively engage the back end of the basket and advance the cones a row at a time to the release point, at which point they are discharged from the basket a row at a time, as will appear. The rightmost pawl moves the basket the distance of one row beyond the release point, where it may be taken off of the track by a girl. If not immediately taken oi, it will be pushed farther @1911s. on, the trask extension 2.3 ha the eext hasta #d be. carried thrjfiugli me @sasha ses@ "Obviously, the.,` conyeyorl bar 60. Should reciprocate 'six times as, tastas therackbar 41,, in order that ba'slzetsy while. at the packing station will not be overtaken by baskets.l delivered from the rack bar. The conveyor bar` GQ is,Y driveny :from the motor 65 by the. pitmanl 68, through theintermediary of Vsuch gear reduction as `willv produce the proper rate'of reciprocation.

-The distance betweenv thew lastv pawl .1 o fy the rack barr 41 and tharst pawl M of the. conveyor bar 6U, is equal to the length. of: theA` basket, s o that the last pawl 51: pushs the.v basketrtothe point at which` thehrst pawl 6 4,is able tocatch .its front end. Since different ymakes of baskets may be of. diierent lengths, it-,may benecessary. to adjust` the distance4 between frame section 2,2 and frame section 2|. ToL avoid the eventuality that the rack bar and conveyor bar might collide if the two frame sections are moved in too close juxtaposition, said bars are not in alignment but laterally offset, as is shown in Figure 2.

The rack bar 41, is operated from the gear reduction box l'l driven by the motor 33, which is supported by the cross pieces 3|, and operates through gear reduction to rotate theoutputshaft 68 at 4 R. P. M. A crank wheel 69 is carried by the shaft B8, and has a crank pin that operates through suitableA antifriction bearings in the slot '1| of a cross head 12, moving the latter up and down. The crossV head I2 is a iiat transverse member, the ends of which are enlarged to form sockets 13. Vertical parallel toothed racks M are secured in said sockets at their lower endsand reciprocate with the crossheads. They are guided near the lower ends by the tubular bracket 'l5 through which they slide, and which extend inwardly from the upper longitudinals 2 of frame section 2|, and near their upper ends they are guided by bushings 'I6 invvertical bores 1.1, formed in the heads 18, shown in detail in Figure 6. Y

The heads 'I8 are each carried bya pair of upwardly convergent rods '|9, the upper endsof which are screwed into saidheadsfand the divergent lower ends of which aresecured to one of the upper end cross pieces 29 of the frame and the intermediatecross piece 3| which lies next to it. The heads and supporting rodsr are, spaced transversely substantially thewidth ofrtheframe. The heads are identical. Each hasa gear recess 80, with an axial bearing bore fora4 shaft 8|, the bored of both heads being-in horizontal alignment, there being a shaftvextendingthrough said bores having a gear 82 in each recess, said gears being in meshwith the respective racks 14, by means of which the twoA racks-,move simul-- taneously, and in so moving theyeimpartv rota-,- tion to the shaft 8|.

The heads 18. are provided withvcovenplatespi for. the recessesA 80, giving ,accesssforl lubrication, etc. Above thevshaft 8| isal brace--bar 84, the ends of which t intoaligned sockets-fonconfronting faces of the heads, said sockets and bar having registering boresv 86 for taper pins which secure the bar and heads rigidly together, stiffening ,the upright structures ,constituted by .said heads andthe supporting rods '|95l Figure '7 shows that the'bar 84f`at its middle supports a divided casing 87, throughwhich the shaft 8| passes, the sides 88 ofthe casing'having bearings in which the shaft is journaled. The lower part of the casing is formedas--aihanger forffthe.rackbarv 4.1; which rests.riporti-theadjust'-l able.- tllers. 8.9;: Wlthlntee eed, keyed t0.y the; Shaft 8l the gear Slt thatzmeshcs voith the rack bar 41. The, gears 82.; which mesh, with the racks 74. are Smells While gear' .il 1s large. so that. the Irrel/em...entY Qt. the 1.4i is, maenied. in.; the.- movement. Off the: rack lee-r.l Hf.. the amplitude Qf. reiprocetion of which. is asv we h avefseen. the; length Qi the basket The. racksY 1.4, are.. also the means. ion operating the.' @n.lQhel: Gomprse a. deep rec- The.- Eliten tangular han ali arranged symmetmghy with M throught *the racks. 1s.

Sheet.; to. a vertical'. plane Said pan is for a working supply ofrmoltenlchocolate or other enrobing mixture., Theobottom 92 ci said. pan. Slopes. downwarldly.vr from bothI sides, and alsofrom back to front, asseeninliguresz, 3 and 10b, so as to drain toasingle'point air-umich there is a discharge spout;1 93 having. a`v suitable closure. Beneath the: pan, but forming partof the pan unit, is the heating chamber` 94, which contains electr-ic heater 95. in progimity, tolthe bottom of the pan, controlledby a thermostat 95, which is against thebottom. orthopan and within the heating chamber (see Figures). 'Phepan unit` is removable, since itA has external feet 91 on the bottom Wally of the.. heating chamber, which rest upon adjacent` upper cross pieces` 2.29 and 3| of the frame, andrv arefastenede thereto by the bolts 9B.

Ashallowl and'somewhat smaller constant level pangs dips into the largenpan to a depth. below the level ofA chocolate in the, larger pan, and therefore comes out eachtime brimi full. It; has handles |68 projectingifrorn` opposite-sides, said handles terminating in eyes. HH; Saideyes are straddled by the bifurcated; endsv |182i0f-i support:- ing rods |83, which extendfupward; andx outward, terminatingY in sockets, H14; which surround the racks 14 and arev adjustably: secured.: thereto. The bifurcatedends of-the rodsJ |l3iandzeyesv |05 which are alignedwith the: eyesiinithe handles, and pins |06, pass throughsaid.alignedieyes, removably securing the. pan. 9.9.l operatively,` to i. the racks 14.

The small pan 99 therefore .goesup and. down with4 the racks 7.4. Whenitfgoes.` down, it fills with chocolate from the largerpan 9|. As it comes up, the basket off'in-vertedL hardy frozen cones is approachingalongthe-.track 2.3. As the basket gets over the pan;9.9', the;latterinthe final part of its rising. movement, submerges'.r the mounds of ice creamprotrudingfrom-the cones in the warm enrobing mixture. Asthapannllf recedes and the basket ofz enrobed cones moves forward toward the nut applying station, the. low temperature of the ice creamstartsfto.quickly solidify the coating, which is'l not-l quite solid when. it reaches the nut applyingstation, but is past the dripping stage. Any dripl which may oc-v cur as the basket moves 4fronyoveithe pan 931s caught on a `ixedly supported -inlined-balle1 85|; lwhich overhangsthe larger-panglll and drains back. to the larger pan. ThepanSPhas-agnorf mally'closed drain spout ||l3.

Referring for the montent particularly to-ligureY la, it will be understciodfthatsince thef racks 14 commonly` operate -rackgbard'l anel fthe-,enrob-f ing pan 99,. it follows thatwhensaidpan begins to descend, the basketstarts tomove-forwardtoward thenut applying statici-1,r thev pan having reached a pointv below the level ofthe cones when theirst rowT of, conesmovesv beyond the front endkofjthe. pan. 'The congellationof the chocolatercoating has already progressed,v sothat there-isbutrlittle dripinv the region of the baffle |01; and=by-thetime-the basket Lreaches the nut across? applying station there is no drip, but the enrobed surface of the cone is sufciently tacky to cause the nut fragments to adhere.

The nut applying station is located between the transverse frame members 38 and 30, and then` extensions 42 and 43. A flat transverse bar |09, Figures la, 4, and 11, is welded between the lower longitudinals 23, and at its middle carries the bushing ||0. A similar bushing is above the bushing I0, and in vertical alignment therewith, being supported by a bar |2 welded to the cross pieces ||3 and ||4 which extend between the upper longitudinals 21.

A vertical catapult ||5 is supported by said bushings. It comprises a reciprocable stem ||6 guided within said bushings, having a head which embodies a diaphragm A sub frame ||8 is built about the upper portion of the stem of the catapult and supports the peripheral edge of the diaphragm in a common horizontal plane. Said sub frame is constructed of members of angle cross-section, comprising the legs ||0 which are in vertical transverse planes but flare longitudinally, as shown in Figure 5. The lower ends of said legs are welded to the upper longitudinals 2l. The legs support a rectangular surround of angular cross-section, the vertical flanges of which is welded to the legs, and the upper flange of which extends horizontally. All four sides of the sub frame are enclosed within a sheet metal jacket |2|, the top edge |22 of which is flanged over the upper flange of the surround in the manner shown in Figure 5, and constitutes the surface which directly contacts the peripheral margin of the diaphragm. On top of the diaphragm is a rectangular washerlike surround |23, the sides of which are nat, as shown at |24 in Figure 5, while the ends, that is, the transverse terminal portions, are bent upwardly to form short flanges |25, as seen in Figure 4. A tunnel-like casing |26 is provided, that is, it has closed top and side walls, but is open at both ends, as shown at |21 in Figure 4. The side Walls have outwardly turned anges |26, which rest upon the flat portions |24 of the surround |23. Bolts pass through the superposed flanges of the members |20, |2|, the diaphragm, the anges |24 of the surround |23, and the flanges |28 of the jacket |26, clamping the peripheral margin of the diaphragm.

. i' Referring now to the means for rec1procating the diaphragm, the motor 34, Figures la, 4, 5 and 1l, through gearing represented by the numeral |29, operates a cam |30 mounted on the outer end of shaft |3|, journaled in bearings |32 mounted on a base |33 which bridges the cross pieces 32 and is welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The cam operates against a roller |34, mounted on a pin |35 between the spaced sides |36 of a swinging arm |31, which is hngedly carried by a pintle |38, which Figure 11 indicates is welded to the adjacent cross piece 32. At the outer end of the swinging arm |3'| a vertical arm |39 is pivoted at |40. Said vertical arm also consists of spaced sides |4|, as shown in Figure 4, the upper ends of said sides being pivotally connected to trunnions |42 projecting from a cross head |43, which is bushed as at |44 in Figure 11, and surrounds the stem ||6 of the catapult, but is fixed to said stem by means such as the set screw |45.

A spring unit surrounds the stem ||6 of the catapult, being shown in detail in Figure l0, consisting of a platform |46 (see also Figure 9), having a boss '|41 fixed to its upper side, said boss constituting the seat for the lower end of a rather powerful helical spring |48 which surrounds the stem. The upper end of the spring is seated in a thrust washer |49. In the embodiment shown, the bushing and thrust washer are formed with interior helical grooves in which the respective ends of the spring screw, so that the spring and the platform at the bottom and thrust washer at the top are a unitary structure. The stem i|6 has a threaded zone |50 on which an adjusting nut |5| and a lock nut |52 are screwed. Above the threaded zone the stem has a reduced portion |53 which terminates in a threaded end |54, in which the nuts |55 are screwed, which retains between them the U-shaped lug |56 which forms a connection between the stern of the catapult and the diaphragm, as will appear. The platform |46 is bolted at opposite corners to the crosspieces |43 and |21 by the stud bolts |51. As a matter of convenience in disassembling, the stud bolts pass through open ended slots |58 in the platform, so that the latter' can be partially rotated after the stud bolts |5 have been loosened, thereby detaohing the spring unit from the frame.

The function of the catapult is that of a vibrator to dash nut fragments or other granular material against the tacky surfaces of the enrobed cones. The upper face of the diaphragm acts as a table upon which the nut fragments rest, and from which they are thrown into the air to a height sufficiently to contact the surface of the enrobing coating. The vibration must be in the nature of repeated impact blows. This is accomplished through the action of the cam |30 correlated with that of the spring |48. The cam is rotated in the direction of the arrow. It has quite a long throw represented by the difference between the line a and the line b. The swinging arm |37 is depressed by the cam to the lowest point represented in Figure 5, drawing down the stem ||6 of the catapult against the tension of the spring |48. After this point the height of the cam falls off quite abruptly so that the spring |48 when released expands with considerable suddenness, forcing the diaphragm upward, causing the nut fragments to be projected into the air. It is desirable to have the surfaces of all of the cones uniformly coated, and it is also highly desirable that the nut fragments shall not fly out at the open ends of the tunnel constituted by the casing |26. Consequently, the diaphragm is given a predetermined shape, which by trial and error has been found to give the optimum direction of trajectory of the vibrated particles. The lug |56 is a rigid part of an elongated horizontal support |56, having down turned side flanges |60 and rounded down turned ends |6|, the former being in the interest of rigidity and the latter presenting a rounded surface in contact with the diaphragm when the latter is vibrated upwardly to minimize wear of the diaphragm. The support |59 is in contact with a plate |62, formed with a dihedral angle along its longitudinal center, said plate being longer than wide, so as to come closer to the closed sides of the casing 2'! than to the open ends thereof, the comparison being readily made by reference to Figures 4 and 5. A conformer |63 is provided in the form or" a stiff rod or wire, which lies in the dihedral apex of the plate |62, the diaphragm intervening. The conformer |63 has threaded Shanks |64 welded thereto, and which project through aligned holes in the plate |62 and support |59. Nuts on said shank press the conformer 9:2` againstithvdiaphragmgl andiicause thelatterrto* confr-mvto `tllie i dihedral V"sliapefofth'efpl'ate 62',ji thus forming a dihedral depression in the da#y phragm' which I comes l closeY =to -tl'ieclo'sed sides andlessfclse-to 'the vopen Vsides wof-"tlie`casing 2 6."

Nitl` fragments or othergranular vmaterial may: ine-supplied to `the catapult 'througlif-tlie fdoorf 'I 655 at-'the top-ofthe casing-|269 Since the conveyorbar B'Iiintersects the op ening fclosedfbyisaid -fdoorg an inverted troughLshaped 4guard |66 .lloridg'es'sai'd opening, overlying ftheipafthrof movement of vfthe* conveyor bar `andfbeing secured tof said casing.' NutV 1fragments from'tlie slopingA portions "off the diaphragm 'which constitutthefdihedral-depres# v sion* will be. thrown `in inclined-trai ectorie'sfin opposite 1 directions. Nut fragments on the mar4 A gin'al portions surroundingetheedihedal `ydepresv`mv` sin will be thrown moreinearly-vertically, and* since these outlying portions yof l'fthe diaphragm arewider adjacent the'open'endsl of the casing 26 the-- tendency of" the'enut'fragments' 'tobe thrownL out -at the endsof the-tunnel is f-minif mi'ze'df.A Furthermore; when' the basket with its complement 'ofice cream-conesI is within the cas-v ing-|26? the open` ends of the casing are'for the most part 'oc'cluded'b'y theipresence off the cones. The"upturn'ed ends f 6170i` the conformer I 63 prevent wearing contactf'of the endsof' thecon-` former'with th'eldiaphragm:

Itis ai-peculiarity vofmostfnut meats or'frage` ments vof"thesamelfthat ifV` they -are-constantly beaten or j arred 'theysweat-oiL and the'surface is oily"the'adherence tof the nut fragments Ito the chocolate coating istimpa'ired; Y Consequently, 'it willi'not do for thecatapultvv I |5'to work-continue ously, but only intermittently,-"andforsuch short periods 'as are essential toeiecttheproperdens itytofdistrib'utionofnut fragments upon the coatedsurfaceof theicones. Therefore, atimer switch |68 is provided, suitably supported within the tunneloffthe casing |26,I the details of which are :not shown, beingu conventional, 'said timer in-l cludingan'actuating 4arm |69at theend Iof a' shaft |70, whichextends Awithinthetimerand is part'cf the mechanism of 'the'same Said actu.- ating varm extends over the-trackt23 inposition to'be struckby'vthefront corner 'of the basket.- Since Vthe basket is lmoving'into position' at the 'nut' applying station v'wlienthis engagement takes place, the `arm lwillbe swung 'laterally,"start` ingV the timer by'thetime'the'basketis in place at'said station. Themotor zzircuitiisclosedsi` multaneouslyfwith thestartin'g ofthe timer, and the'period during which the nuts are/applied is determined vby the`interval :for whichthe"timer is set; This `interval generally' continues until thebasketv has begun to travel'toward' the bag-A ging 'station so that the'actuating arm |69 will still be in' 'deiected position when the-rear corner" of the basket passes it, and will'not be 'affected by the -passing of said rear corner.`

The vset screw M'which securesthe operating means toV 'theY stem' i it'or the' catapult "constitutes" an` adjustment which determines the' amplitude of ythereciprocation ofthemcatapult', andA therefore determines the forceas well as "the height to which the nut fragments will be thrown'by said catapult.

The'upwardmovement of the catapult. is not restrained by 'the caml 30; When` the roller I 34 fallsabruptlyfrom' 'the' longaxis' of. the "nose `Aof the cam, the'spring ltvhi'ch unitary with the' platform |48 and with the front washer' |495 is' freett'o suddenly expandftots full repose Alength and'fa-'littlemore',-` duetto its'inertia; this'bein'gthe- 75 20H |'|`2," and longitudinal rods or 25rrow; The sliding frame is guided within inverted* /type of basket. "sliding frames moved toward the right-,'as-viewed loir measure @of the-"upward movement of-tlierdia phragm. Theforce of the springfis transmittedthroughv the adjusting' nut I5I iwith whihfthef thrust washer |49'isa1ready in'- contact,` so that the push is a little less than-a true impact blwi'f The nut |5|- adjusts the compressiony of the spring |48, and' auxiliaryfor alternativeto the adi' justable cross head |43;v it is a vmeans 'frl'dete mining the limit of :upward movement ofl'tliefdial phragm.

The packaging of the linshedv` confection's "bei gins with theirl release from 'the basket? Figure 14 shows a' portion of the basket 6|, the Aside of 15: the basket being parallel to the showingoffthei track extension 23a in said gure; It-will'b'e noted-that within'the basket, and individualftof each-transverse row of "cones, there -is a sliding'f frame comprising an upstanding 'endfportioni' wires |'|3.` S'cured" to` the longitudinal wires is a "sheet-"metal v#platee- I'M, which extends theffull length of"arow='of""si-X cones and is stamped with cutoutsl'|5'which-'deiine impaling'points |18, all pointingin'the lsam'e'f' direction. There are six impaling'points t their U-shaped loops -|'|1'which are unitary withithel relatively stationary part ofthe basket? Theloopspreferably divide the-row into 'six spaces.L `The tapered ends of the ice-cream cones l| 'IBpI'd-f ject upwardly through said spaces and'througha the cutouts, vby means which do not `forma part-' of thepresent invention, and thereforer are' not*` disclosed, but which are eonventional,-as'is the The cones are vinserted i and "the'il in Figure 14, so that 'the impaling points-pene;

trate the cones and hold 'the ice-cream `cones`in" place. This loading ofy the-baskets is done'w'ith" out the confections being? touched by.` human hands. A sectionthroughthe basket SI is'shown in Figure 12. InV this iigure'the basket' isshown" supported 'by the track extensions '23,which are" sustained bythe brackets' |19 vextendinginwar'dlyM from? thecorner postv 58 'which they, penetrate,`V andk to which they are welded. There areitwd' pair ofv brackets; oneforthe vfront cornerp'osts' and' another for the corner poststo "whiclith" track extension is secured by,meansof.thunrb` screws. ThesIidingV frames arepushed'into ref lease vposition by means of anarm |80,'"also"shbwn in Figure-14,*whichoperates through areces's |8"|' formed in the-vertical flange vof tl'ieadjacent"4 track extension. This'recess canbe 'seen'al'so'in Figure 13.v

' The arm |88 Iis fixedly mounted uponavertical" oscillating shaft |82.l This shaft is 'journalld at" the'top in 'a 'bearing at the end of a bracket |83; I, which extends, `inwardl'yfromone of thetop' rails 59, and at the bottom by a bearing in asimilar bracket |84, which extends inwardly fromfoneof the intermediate longitudinal vframe members |855- Since4 these bracketsr extend in perpendicu. lar planes, they afford a rigid alignment'forthe shaft |82. This shaft'is oscillated'iby'mean's .of Aa radial arm |8l xedto saidshaft and ,havingja slot connection .with'a pin |81 fixed Ato the topoff the conveyor bar 6|). As said bar-reciprocatesit oscillates the arm |88.

All 'of the'cones in one leased" at oneY time.

transverse row lare're` Below the. row .of lconesiare threechutes'i88.r Each of "these has Uaimouthlat.Y the-top, wide enough to receiveV simultaneously; twofadjacent cones, and each has aV downward" lendwide enough'to discharge'only one cone yat "a "timer Consequently," whentwo" cones enter sil multaneously, one is retarded while the other falls through, and then the retarded one is released to follow, so that the two cones come out of the discharge end in sequence.` Beneath the mouths f the chutes are three bag bins |89, where bags are pneumatically opened in the paths of the descending cones and so synchronized with the cone releasing mechanism as to provide an open bag timely for the reception of each cone.

Reverting now to a detailed description of the chutes, there lare two short fittings |00, one at each side, welded to the intermediate longitudinal frame members |85. A flat bar ISI extends transversely of the frame and is bolted to these iittings at |02. This bar supports the chutes. Each chute consists of a flat back plate |93, from the rear of which a single stud |94 projects and also a dowel |95, Figure 13. The securing means have an inclined relation indicated on the middle chute in Figure 12. The bar ISI has corresponding holes, so that when the chute is placed against the bar with the stud in one hole and the dowel in the other, and a nut is screwed upon the stud, the chute is securely held. This mode of securing the chutes in place makes it easy t0 remove them at any time for cleansing or for other purposes. The plates |93 have forwardly turned flanges |96 which define the sides of the chute. One of said flanges, that to the right in each chute, diverges from an intermediate point toward the top of the chute, forming an inclined face |91. A front plate |98 is common to all of the chutes. This is shown in section in Figure 13, and at the right and lefthand sides in Figure 12, It is secured by means of the bolts |99. The front plate has holes to which are connected the branches 200 of an air manifold 20|, which is supplied with an air blast from the blower 202, shown in Figure 1b, which is driven by its own motor, not shown. The branches 200 of the air manifold are so directed that the current which enters the chute impinges in a downward direction against the inner or far edge of the chute, as indicated by the arrows. The air blast has to do with opening the bags for the reception of the cones. Figure 13 shows a bag 203 in open receptive position.

Referring now to Figure 14, it will be noted that the flared face |91 has stamped out tongues 204, which form bearings for a bell crank 205, which has a pair of spaced lingers 205 extending through an opening 201 in said face into the chute, but suinciently short not to obscure the direct line of descent of the lefthand cone of a pair through the chute. At its other end, the bell crank has a downwardly extending arm 208. The arms 20B of all the bells cranks are loosely embraced between pairs of pins 209, carried by a bar 2I0, which oscillates behind the chutes, being slidably supported in a hole in the lug 2| I, Figure 1b, which projects from the rear of the lefthand shute |88. Said bar makes a pin and slot connection 2|2 with an arm 2I3 on the shaft |82, by means of which reciprccatory movement is imparted to said bar.

The arms |80 and 2I3 are so synchronized that at the moment the cones are released from the basket, the lingers 206 are beginning to turn in a downward direction, so that when the cones traveling side by side enter the chute, one passes through while the other is only for the briefest moment detained by the spaced lingers, and then permitted to proceed gravitationally. This instantaneous detention is suicient to place the detained cone in sequential relation to the unirnpeded cone at their point of discharge from the chute.

Referring now to the bag bins |89, there are two spaced rods 2 I4 extending between the lower longitudinal frame members 2 I5. On these rods are the three pairs of members which constitute the bag bins. Each of these members comprises a side wall 2 l5, to the lower inner side of which is welded a pair of spaced hollow bosses 2I'I, which are slidable upon the rods 2I4. These bosses have set screws 2 I3, so that the side walls can be adjusted to accommodate bags of different width. On the inner sides of the side walls are welded the curvilinear anges 2|9, which together form the bottom or slideway of the bag bin. The flanges 2I9 curve away from one another, forming a iiaring opening 220 as shown in Figure 13. At the front, the side walls are provided with the inturned lugs 22| at an intermediate point in their height, and at the level of the flanges 2I9 with similar lugs 222. These lugs are spaced so as to engage a small margin of the bag when unstressed by the bulk of the cone. When a. cone enters the bag and stretches it from back to front, the bag narrows widthwise and escapes from between the lugs. Beneath the opening 220 between the flanges 2|9 of each bin is a forwardly downwardly inclined ramp 223, the upper end of which is sufciently narrow to enable it to lit between the bosses 2 I4, said ramp having bifurcated lugs 224 which embrace the forward rod 2|4 to hold the ramp in place. Beneath the ramp is an endless conveyor belt 225, which carries away the bagged cones for boxing and storage.

Figures 1b and 13 show a generally horizontal stack of bags 226 in one of the bag bins. The bag has a rear lip a little higher than the forward lip, and each chute is provided with a downwardly extending tongue 227, from which the shorter forward lip escapes, but which temporarily retains the rearward lip, as shown in Figure 13. A weighted presser plate 228 presses against the rear of the stack, keeping the bags together and moved forwardly against the lugs 22| and 222. The three presser plates are attached by arms 229 to a horizontal shaft 23B, which is carried in bearings in lugs 24| and 23|, which extend from the rear walls of the end chutes. The shaft 230 also has an arm 232, which carries an adjustable weight 233. This weight imparts pressure to all of the pressure plates.

In operation, the blast from the blower 202 is continuous. As soon as a bag assumes front position in the stack with its forward lip free4 and its rear lip held, the blast impinges upon the tongue 221, going into the bag and separating its lips, thereby expanding its mouth in readiness to receive a cone. The rst cone to arrive is the one that had direct undetained passage through the chute, which enters the bag` in inverted position, frees the bag from the lugs 22| and222 in the manner described so that the bag and cone fall upon the ramp 223 and slide upon the conveyor, the closed edge of the bag being foremost. Meanwhile, that is to say, just as soon as the filled bag has left its foremost position in the stack, the next bag is opened by the air blast and the momentarily detailed cone drops into it. Figure 13 shows that the conveyor belt 225 is wide enough to commonly serve all three chutes.

While 1 have in the above invention disclosed what I believe to be a preferred and practical em- 1;3 bndiment-nf fthe inventive concept, :it twill be :mrderstood .by those skilled v:in the art tha't fthe specic construction .and `arrangement of `parts,

as shown, are :by way of :example and not to be construed as Vlimiting the scope .of the invention.

What I claim is:

1.7In apparatus for packaging a yfrozen :confection of the type which 'consists of an ice-'cream cone lled ywith frozen mix, said `apparatus comprising .a frame, .a track Aextending through lsaid frame supported thereby, a basket slidable ion said track, said basket bei-ng Vof the type which Isuspends the inverted frezen lled iceeeream fccnes in-aplurality of transverse rows through 'theinstrumentality of releasa'ble -impaling means v,indi-- vidual to the rows, means for releasing said icones a row at a time,a reciprocatory pusher for moving said basket on said track to 'bring each row -of cones seuuentialy into operative proximity .tosaid releasing means, chutes vbeneath the row of Acones at the releasing point there being one chute to each pair of cones, one side of said chute bei-ng vertical, the other inclined, the upper mouth of said chute being wide enough -to receive both cones of the pair side by side, the lower mouth of said chute being adjacent said vertical side and wide enough to discharge only one cone `at a time, said chute providing an uninterrupted gravitational path of fdescent :for one cone of a pair, retractable means Vprojecting through the inclined side of said chute to momentarily ldetain the other cone ofthe pair, whereby both cones are' discharged sequentially from the lower mouth, and means for `presenting open bags in sequence beneath the lower mouths of said 'chutes to receive thecones as they are discharged from said chutes.

2. In apparatus for packaging a frozen confection of the type which consists of an ice-cream cone lled with frozen mix, said apparatus comprising a frame, a track extending through said frame supported. thereby, a basket slidable on said track, said basket being of the type which suspends the inverted frozen viilled ice-cream cones in a plurality of transverse rows through the instrumentality of releasable slides individual to the rows having impal-ing points which hold the cones in one position of Vsaid slide and which release the cones of a `row simultaneously when said slide is oppositely moved, a shaft mounted on said frame, an arm carried by said shaft operative at a release point to move the slides lof said basket to release lposition successively as they are brought to the release point, a reciprocatory conveyor bar, a .series or unidirectional pawls successively engageable with said basket to bring the rows cf cones step .by step to said release point, means .for reciprocating said -conveyor bar, a connection between said bar and shaft for oscillating the latter, -chutes beneath the row of cones which is at the releasing point, there being one chute to each pair of cones in said row, one side of said .chute being vertical, the other inclined, the upper mouth Yof .said chute being wide enough to receive both cones of `the pair side by side, the lower mouth of said .chute being adjacent said vertical side and wide enough to discharge only one at a time, said chute prom viding an uninterrupted gravitational path of descent for one coneof .a pair, retractable means projecting through the inclined side kof said .chute to momentarily detain the yother cone of Athe Apair whereby both cones are discharged .sequentially from the lower mouth, Aconnections :between :said shaft and said retractable means for operating the fiatter, and `means 'for `presenting open bags in sequence 'beneath the =lower 'mouths of said chutes 'Ito receive the icones as 'they are discharged from 'saidlchutes 3. In apparatus 'for packaging a frozen con fection of the type which .consists of San Aiceeream *cone `-filled with ,firozen mix, :said apparatus -comprising a frame, a track extending through said 'frame supported thereby, a :bask-et slidable on 'said track, said basket being of `the type which vsuspends the 'inverted frozen illenl ice-*cream Icones 1in a'plurality of 'transverse rows through the instrumentality ,of releasable slides individual to the rows having impaling points which hold the vcones in one position of said slide and lwhich-release fthe cones of a row simultaneously whenisa'id .slide is oppositely moved, a sha'ftmounted on said "frame, 'an yarm carried by said shaft operative at a release point to nieve the slides Vof said basket to release position .successively as they are brought to the release point, a reciprooatory conveyor bar, a series of unidirectional pawls successively-engageable with said basket to bring the rows of cones step by step to said yrelease ipoint, fmea'ns for reciprocating said conveyorban a fconnection between said 4bar and shaft for oscillating the latter, chutes beneath the row lof cones which is at the releasing point, --the'relbeingone chute to `each pair of cones in said row, one side of said chute being vertical, the other inclined, the upper mouth of said chute being wide enough to receive `both cones vof the pair side by side, the lower mouth of -salid 'chute being adjacent said vertical side and wide enough to discharge only one at a time, said chu-te providing an uninterrupted gravitational path of descent for one cone of a pair, a rock shaft at 'the inclined side of each chute, spaced 4fingers carried `by said rock shaft projecting into said chute upon which the other ice-cream cone is .momentarily detained in its gravitational descent, `said rock shaft having an operating arm offset from its axis, a reciprocating bar carrying means engaging the operating yarms of `all said rock shafts for tilting the :spaced fingers away from the path of movement of said other cone, a connection between said bar rand Lshaft for Yreciprocating said bar, and ineansfor presenting open bags in sequence beneath the lower `mouths of said chutes to receive the cones as they fare discharged from said chutes.

4. In `apparatusI .for 'packaging a frozen con fection of the type which 'consists of an icecream cone :lled with frozen mix, said apparatus comprising a frame, a track extending through said frame 'supported thereby, a 'basket slidable :on said ltra-ck, 'said basket being of `the type which v.suspends the vinverted frozen filled ice-cream `cones in a plurality of transverse rows through the `instrumentality of .releasable impaling means individual to :the rows, vmeans for releasing said cones a catory conveyor for moving said basket to bring Aeacli row fof cones sequentially into operative proximity neath the there being side of said vto said releasing means, chutes berow of cones Aat the releasing point one chute to each pair of cones, one chute being vertical, the other in- 4clin'ed, the fupper mouth of said `chute being wide enough .to receive 'both cones vof the pair side by Iside, the lower mouth ofbsaid chute Vbeing adjacent vsaid vertical side vand wide yenough to discharge only one none ,atga time, said chute providing -an nngmterrupted gravitational path row at a time, a reoiproof descent for one cone of a pair, retractable means projecting through the inclined side of said chute to momentarily detain the other cone of the pair, whereby both cones are discharged sequentially from the lower mouth, a bag bin for each chute underlying the same, each bin comprising side walls and a bottom, adapted to hold a stack of bags with the bags in general upright position with open ends uppermost, the bags being of a type in which the rear wall extends above the front wall at the open end, each chute having a downward extension at the rear overlying the corresponding bag bin at the front.

of said bin, terminating above the level of the front wall but below the level of the rear wall of the bag so as to leave the front wall free, a pusher behind said stack for urging it forward, holding the rear wall of the foremost bag against said extension, means for blowing a current of air downwardly against said extension for opening said foremost bag to receive a cone, said bags with the enclosed cone being released from said bin through the impact of the enteringV cone.

- 5. In apparatus for packaging a frozen confaction of the type which consists of an icecream cone filled with frozen mix, said ap paratus comprising a frame, a track extending through said frame supported thereby, a basket slidable on said track, said basket being of the type which suspends the inverted frozen filled ice-cream cones in a plurality of transverse rows through the instrumentality of releasable impaling means individual to the rows, means for releasing said cones a row at a time, a reciprocatory conveyor for moving said basket to bring each row of cones sequentially into operative proximity to said releasing means, chutes beneath the row of cones at the releasing point there being one chute to each pair of cones, one side of said chute being vertical, the other inclined, the upper mouth of said chute being wide enough to receive both cones of the pair side by side, the lower mouth of said chute being adjacent said vertical side and wide enough to discharge only one cone at a time, said chute providing an uninterrupted gravitational path of descent for one cone of a pair, retractable means projecting through the inclined side of said chute to momentarily detain the other cone of the pair, whereby both cones are discharged sequentially from the lower mouth, a bag bin for each chute underlying the same, each bin comprising side walls and a bottom, adapted to hold a stack of bags with the bags in general upright position with open ends uppermost, the bags being of a type in which the rear wall extends above the front wall at the open end, each chute having a downward extension at the rear overlying the corresponding bag bin at the front of said bin, terminating above the4 level of the front wall but below the level of the rear wall of the bag so as to leave the front wall free, said side walls having inturned lugs at the front just long enough to retain the side edges of a bag unweighted by contents, a pusher behind said stack for urging it forward, holding the rear wall of the uppermost bag against said extension and the side edges against said lugs, means for blowing a current of air downwardly against said extension for opening said foremost bag to receive a cone, said bags with the enclosed cones being released from said bin through the impact of the entering cone.

6. In apparatus for packaging a frozen confection of'the type which consists of an ice-'cream cone filled with frozen mix, said apparatus comprising a frame, a track extending through said frame supported thereby, a basket slidable on said track, said basket being of the type which suspends the inverted frozen filled ice-cream cones in a plurality of transverse rows through the instrumentality of releasable impaling means individual to the rows, means for releasing said cones a row at a time, a reciprocatory conveyor for moving said basket to bring each row of cones sequentially into operative proximity to said releasing means, chutes beneath the row of cones at the releasing point there being one chute to each pair of cones, one side of said chute being vertical, the other inclined, the upper mouth of said chute being wide enough to receive both cones of the pair side by side, the lower mouth of said chute being adjacent said vertical side and wide enough to discharge only one cone at a time, said chute providing an uninterrupted gravitational path of descent for one cone of a pair, retractable means projecting through the inclined side of said chute to momentarily detain the other cone of the pair, whereby both cones are discharged sequentially from the lower mouth, a bag bin for each chute underlying the same, each bin comprising side walls and a bottom adapted to hold a stack of bags with the bags in general upright position with open ends uppermost, the bags being of a type in which the rear wall extends above the front wall at the open end, each chute having a downward extension at the rear overlying the corresponding bag bin at the front of said bin, terminating above the level of the front wall but below the level of the rear wall of the bag so as to leave the front wall free, said side walls having inturned lugs at the front just long enough to retain the side edges of a bag unweighted by contents, a pusher behind said stack for urging it forward, holding the rear wall of the foremost bag against said extension, and the side edges against said lugs, a plate forming the front walls of said chutes having openings therethrough constituting air nozzles, directed downwardly.

'7. In apparatus for packaging a frozen confection of the type which consists of an ice-cream cone filled with frozen mix, said apparatus comprising a frame, a track extending through said frame supported thereby, a basket slidable on said track, said basket being of the type which suspends the inverted frozen iilled ice-cream cones in a plurality of transverse rows through the instrumentality of releasable impaling means individual to the rows, means for releasing said cones a row at a time, a reciprocatory conveyor for moving said basket to bring each row of cones sequentially into operative proximity to said releasing means, chutes beneath the row of cones at the releasing point there being one chute to each pair of cones, one side of said chute being vertical, the other inclined, the upper mouth of said chute being wide enough to receive both cones of the pair side by side, the lower mouth of said chute being adjacent said vertical side and wide enough to discharge only one cone at a time, said chute providing an uninterrupted gravitational path of descent for one cone of a pair, retractable means projecting through the inclined side of said chute to momentarily detain the other cone of the pair, whereby both cones are discharged sequentially from the lower mouth, a bag bin for each chute underlying the same, each bag bin comprising side walls, means for adjusting said 17 side walls laterally to vary the width of said bins, anges carried by said side walls on their inner sides cooperating to form a bottom for the bin, said bins being adapted to hold a stack of bags with the bags in general upright position with open ends uppermost, the bags being of a type in which the rear Wall extends above the front wall at the open end, each chute having a downward extension at the rear overlying the corresponding bag bin at the front of said bin, terminating above the level of the front wall but below the level of the rear wall of the bag so as to leave the front wall free, said side walls having inturned lugs at the front just long enough to retain the side edges of a bag unweighted by contents. a shaft mounted horizontally behind said chutes, radial arms on said shaft one for each bin, a pusher plate at the end of each of said arms adapted to bear against the rear of said stacks, an additional radial arm on said shaft, 20

means for biasing said additional arm and transmitting pressure to said pusher plates for urging the stacks of bags forward, holding the rear walls of the foremost bags against said extensions and holding the side edges against said lugs, the bot toms of said bins being curved approximately to the arcuate paths of movement of said pusher plates, a plate forming the front walls of said chutes having openings therethrough constituting air nozzles directed downwardly toward said extensions, a manifold having branches connected to said nozzles, and a blower connected to said manifold for blowing currents of air downwardly against said extensions for opening the foremost bags each to receive a cone, said bags with the enclosed cones being released from said bins through the impact of the entering cones.

FRED A. LANDGRABER, SR.

References Cited in the lle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,339,437 Taylor Jan. 18, 1944 2,524,673 Martin Oct. 3, 1950 2,528,997 Blanchard Nov. 7, 1950 2,579,696 Perlman Dec. 25, 1951 

